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PA upgrade for lighter stuff, help me narrow selection?

rojo412

rojo412

Sit down, Danny...
Supporting Member
Feb 26, 2000
10,914
15,077
46
Cleveland, OH.
#1
After my last gig with the band, my fat, out-of-shape body was hating me after loading the entire PA in, then out.
Yeah, "work out, fatty!" is probably the easiest and cheapest solution... but let's just ignore that, shall we?

The PA rig we have is one that I've been glad to use for almost 15 years now. It's a champ! Mackie 808S powered mixer and (2) Yamaha SV15s (not sure which gen). the thing is super reliable and easy to use, but with all of the latest technology in lightweight, smaller, louder gear, I figure I should explore options.

The 15s are probably not super necessary. I think a set of lightweight 12s would do just fine. My bass amp goes unsupported for most of our gigs.

And the 808S is functional, not a super difficult setup to carry... but if there is something smaller, lighter, and with a USB output, that would be the bees knees!

Then of course, there's the "powered vs. passive" speaker debate. I don't mind a passive speaker, but if I'm missing the boat, please let me know.

Lighter, reliable, good sounding, functional, smaller. That's the goals. As for budget, that's up in the air, but something within reason... Under $2k, let's say.
Any help is much appreciated.
 
#2
When I bought my last PA speakers (15's) it was down to the Yammies, or the EV Force. The price was similar, the sound was VERY similar (except the EV's had better highs), plus the EV's were around 20 lb's lighter each. W/top recessed handles, I could easily carry them both at the same time! Sound was GREAT...crisp, loud, clean, w/pants flapping tight bass. 12's vs 15's? that's up to your needs. 12's are great for (mostly) vocals only. Probably a lot more options out there these days!
 
#3
I have 3 JBL PRX612 and 2 QSC K10. I run the K10's as mains with a KSub and the PRX's as monitors. Spaces that do not justify the sub, I run the K10's as monitors and 2 PRX's as mains. I picked up the prx's at about $500 per unit from a sound company that was migrating to EV.

The prx's would be a very good choice for you. They are now superseded by the 700 series so maybe the cost in the used market will reflect that. We often run them off the main out of a mackie 406 (408? basically a smaller version of your Mackie) using a TRS to XLR cable. I refer using my Studio Live board but not everywhere I play has the space... That board is not small.

IMO powered speaks just sound better out of the box. Not much tweaking is necessary. If you're a good enough engineer and have the right tools, then passives are probably fine. I just find the powered speaks are plug and play.

NAMM is JAN 24. I would wait to scope the announcements there and see if that affects the price level of current generation digital boards like the Mackie 1608 and it's little bro. Or maybe the Yamaha boards.

I'm knocked out with the Presonus Studio Live and they have a new generation out so the used cost has come down a lot. The older boards like mine are firewire not usb though. I can capture 16 tracks on a 2008 macbook - the bottom feeder white one not a pro. While simultaneously using the old macbook to run the SL remote control application for my iPad. The sound quality is as good or better than what I got from my previous Digi003 console which wasn't a live console at all...
 
#4

I’d agree that you probably only need 12” speakers if you aren’t running your bass through the system. But keep in mind that the extra weight of powered speakers may negate any weight savings. Plus, having to run twice as many cables to each speaker is a pain, IMO.

Carvin makes a 12-channel mixer/amp similar to your Mackie with high-powered, lightweight class D amps that weighs only 18 lbs. Has a USB port, too.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45

 
#5
Carvin HAD the PM15s on sale for $179 plus shipping - I WAS going to grab a set - having had the PM12s for a couple of years now. They are about half the weight of the JRX115s I have, and pretty durable. I have a friend who gigs A LOT and has used them pretty religiously for about 4-5 years now. I know he does about 125-150 gigs a year not counting his solo gig. I would say they earn their keep.


I just checked - $219 shipped - basically free shipping right now.
Important info -
- Frequency Response: 47 Hz – 18 kHz (-10DB) , 58 Hz – 17 kHz (-3 dB)
- Power: 400W Continuous / 800W Program / 1600W Peak
- Recommended Amplifier Power: 200w - 800w
- Dimensions: 17.87" wide X 13.87" deep X 27.87" high
Weight: 37.6 lbs
 
#7
My cover band has a couple of the Bose PAs. Nice stuff, but stupid expensive and I don't think it'd cut it for what my original band does.

If I spent a couple months hauling the current PA, I'd probably be in fighting shape! I've thought of that... but I also want to get something more mobile for the other wimps in my band.
 
#8
Joe Louvar said:
Well, you can get some lighter cabs and whatnot, but the little speakers on sticks type PA's are about as small, lightweight, and compact as it gets - so you may need to hit the gym too
Click to expand...

I was in a pretty bad car wreck last year - and have been jockeying eqpt. trying to get the most flexible setup with the cost and weight and sound considerations in place.

The gym wouldn't hurt me either, but that said.....
you know? :rollno:
 
#9
All the talk that 12's are only for vocals is not true. I discovered that after hearing jbl srx series. The short of it is 12 is fine but a quality 12 Eminence kappa 12 jbl 2206 ect. 15's are unnecesary for top cabinets. Just get good ones. Not yamahas or any club series stuff.
 
#10
WayneP said:

I’d agree that you probably only need 12” speakers if you aren’t running your bass through the system. But keep in mind that the extra weight of powered speakers may negate any weight savings. Plus, having to run twice as many cables to each speaker is a pain, IMO.

Carvin makes a 12-channel mixer/amp similar to your Mackie with high-powered, lightweight class D amps that weighs only 18 lbs. Has a USB port, too.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt


Administrator, Pedulla Club #45
Administrator, Tobias Club
Big Cabs Club #23
Pedulla Club #45
Click to expand...

Yeah the extra 4 -5 lbs can be a backbreaker.:rollno:
 
#11
gene beauchamp said:
All the talk that 12's are only for vocals is not true. I discovered that after hearing jbl srx series. The short of it is 12 is fine but a quality 12 Eminence kappa 12 jbl 2206 ect. 15's are unnecesary for top cabinets. Just get good ones. Not yamahas or any club series stuff.
Click to expand...

I'd like to hear more about the 12's available and preferences. I've been using Carvin LS1503's for years and I think they're putting on a little weight...or so it seems. We use subs everywhere so that's not a problem. I hear good thing about the EV Live series (?) but that's about all I know. Trying to keep the cost below 1K for the pair (passive) so that will restrict our options.

Riis
 
#12
I picked up a pair of QSC K12's about a month ago and I'm extremely happy with them. Fairly light, compact, I'm 60 years young and can sit them up on the poles without any assistance. For larger rooms we use the old JBL JRX powered subs, not the best subs I know, but we already had a pair. For smaller rooms I just run the K12's on their own and they do a very fine job.

Next on the list is buying a pair of the K10's for monitors. I'm still having to lug an amp at the moment to power the old jbl monitors we have. I'll be EXTREMELY happy when we can make that move. The less heavy crap to carry and set up, the better!!!
 
#13
We use QSC K12s and a KW18 sub for guitar, bass, drums and vocals. Our gig size is 50-400 people and never have to push the system. Usually, I don't use an amp and run bass thru BDDI, BP355 or pandora stomp into mixer.
2 of us use floor monitors and 2 of us use IEMS

great system, lightweight and sounds great
 
#14
I sold my big, heavy PA speakers, both mains & both subs, and bought a pair of Peavey PR15 neos and a pair of speaker stands for them. Only about 30 lbs for the 15" models and even less for the PR-12 or PR-10. I also still have a heavy powered mixer, which is now my heaviest item to load.
They sound quite good for a bar or club, and we even use them for outdoor gigs.
I also sold my heavy bass combo amp and bought a light Gen-Benz bass amp head and a 210 Neo bass cab (3 lbs & 30 lbs) and I'm reinvented for my old age.
 
#15
The PRX's are light - way lighter than the passive Yamaha's the Op is running and... I am in the PA 90% of the time. The 12's do just fine... Bigger spaces we go with the sub and 10's but I've had those 12's wound up pretty hot.
 
#17
Doug R said:
I sold my big, heavy PA speakers, both mains & both subs, and bought a pair of Peavey PR15 neos and a pair of speaker stands for them. Only about 30 lbs for the 15" models and even less for the PR-12 or PR-10. I also still have a heavy powered mixer, which is now my heaviest item to load.
They sound quite good for a bar or club, and we even use them for outdoor gigs.
I also sold my heavy bass combo amp and bought a light Gen-Benz bass amp head and a 210 Neo bass cab (3 lbs & 30 lbs) and I'm reinvented for my old age.
Click to expand...

I have been running the PR15s for 3 years, usually 2-3 gigs a week at nursing homes, senior centers and also paying gigs when they come up. Haven't had a problem at all, and will produce a good usable sound playing old country, bluegrass and gospel. I push them with Crown XLS 2500 power amp at 10 lbs, through an old Mackie 1604 mixer. Just your basic system that works well for us and my 70 year old back. Oh, and I also run my bass through the mixer, so no amp and cabinet to lug around. JMHE
 
#18
Zooberwerx said:
I'd like to hear more about the 12's available and preferences. I've been using Carvin LS1503's for years and I think they're putting on a little weight...or so it seems. We use subs everywhere so that's not a problem. I hear good thing about the EV Live series (?) but that's about all I know. Trying to keep the cost below 1K for the pair (passive) so that will restrict our options.

Riis
Click to expand...

The key is really good 12's. The jbl 2206 is a 600 w speaker . Eminence kappa also works well at 450w. I play in a band that runs all through the PA. Very high quality sound.
 
#20
Check out Phil Jones PA speakers. His bass speakers are very popular and have a good following on talkbass. His PA speakers are also outstanding. A ton of bang for the size/weight, although a bit more expensive new than other brands. Many people don't know he makes the PA speakers, as well as very high-end home audio speakers.

Here is a link to the Phil Jones PA speaker section:
http://www.philjonespuresound.com/products/?c=4
 

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